So without sound of music Or voice of them that wept, Perchance the bald old eagle Out of his rocky eyry Looked on the wondrous sight; Perchance the lion stalking Still shuns that hallowed spot: For beast and bird have seen and heard That which man knoweth not. But, when the warrior dieth, His comrades of the war, With arms reversed and muffled drums, They show the banners taken; They tell his battles won; And after him lead his masterless steed, Amid the noblest of the land Men lay the sage to rest, And give the bard an honored place, With costly marbles drest, In the great minster transept And the sweet choir sings, and the organ rings Along the emblazoned hall. This was the bravest warrior That ever buckled sword; This the most gifted poet That ever breathed a word; And never earth's philosopher Traced with his golden pen On the deathless page truths half so sage As he wrote down for men. Pittacus was born at Mitylene, in the island of Lesbos, about 650 B. C. In conjunction with the brother of Alcæus the poet, about 612 B. C., he overthrew the tyrant Melanchrus and put him to death. In a contest between his people and the Athenians for the possession of Sigeum, in the Troad, he displayed great bravery. For his prowess his townsmen gave him a portion of the city territory, which he dedicated to sacred uses, and which was known long after as the Pitacean land. He was chosen dic tator B. c. 589, and ruled with great success for ten years, after which he voluntarily resigned his power and withdrew into honorable retirement. During the time of his government he made a law against drunkenness which provided for a double punishment for any crime committed under intoxication. PRECEPTS. The first office of prudence is to foresee threatening misfortunes and prevent them. Power discovers the man. Never talk of your schemes before they are executed, lest, if you fail to accomplish them, you be exposed to the double mortification of disappointment and ridicule. Whatever you do, do it well. Know the fitting moment. Be watchful for opportunities. It is his misfortune to be eminent. BIAS. Bias was born at Priene, in Ionia, and flourished about B. c. 570. He was generally employed as a political and legal adviser in difficult questions. When the people of Priene were making preparations to escape from their city, which was besieged by the generals of Cyrus, Bias, in reply to one who asked why he was not occupied like other citizens, employed the words which have become a proverb: “I carry all my goods with "I me." The following are some of his TEACHINGS. It is a proof of a weak and disordered. mind to desire impossibilities. If you are great, be condescending, for it The greatest infelicity is not to be able to is better to be loved than to be feared. endure misfortunes patiently. Great minds alone can support a sudden reverse of fortune. CLEOBULUS. Cleobulus of Lindus, in Rhodes, about B. C. 600, was celebrated for his great bodily strength and beauty. He is said to have acquired the skill in the solution of enigmas and obscure questions for which he was celebrated in Egypt during a visit to that country. The following are a few of his MAXIMS. Be kind to your friends, that they may continue such; and to your enemies, that they may become your friends. "Oh had I died in Brutus' early youth, And now, to sight expiring, he demands Terentia's voice, her kisses and her hands: Enough, Augustus, that I lived thy friend, Happy is the family where the master is And still beloved by thee approach my more loved than feared. When you go abroad, consider what you have to do; when you return home, what you have done. Marry among your equals, that you may not become a slave to your wife's relations. Be more desirous to hear than to speak. -PERIANDER. Periander was born about 665 B c. at Corinth, of which city he became chief magistrate. He died B. c. 585, aged about eighty years. PRECEPTS. Let the prince who would reign securely trust rather to the affection of his subjects than to the force of arms. end: Some few soft drops thy melting eyes will When sudden tidings speak Mecænas dead. Thus it behoves that I should live beloved, Pleasure is precarious, but virtue is im- Was poor, content to be thy heart of heart. mortal. Conceal your misfortunes. Study to be worthy of your parents. There is nothing which prudence cannot accomplish. THE LAST WORDS OF MECENAS. FROM THE LATIN OF CAIUS PEDO ALBINOVANUS (B. c. 35). Live, dear old man, and late the stars as cend: Earth wants thee yet: then long thy life ex- Adopted youths twice worthy of thy name progeny, Till thou, a god on earth, from gods thy line, Chilled with cold damps and hastening now By fostering Venus led, on Julius' breast re THE FEAST OF BELSHAZZAR. Belshazzar's impious feast; a handwriting unknown to the magicians troubleth the king. At the commendation o the queen, Daniel is brought. He, reproving the king of pride and idolatry, readeth and interpreteth the writing. The monarchy is translated to the Medes. Daniel, ch. v. OT by one portal or one path | Spiritless captives sinking with the chain alone God's holy messages to men are known: From sunlight unto starlight trumpets told Waiting the glances of his Her king's command in Babylon the old; embassies, high behest, And stars, interpreting his Where King Belshazzar held high festival- The rolling thunder and the raging sea In silent vigil keeping watch and ward, Have words to whisper, tongues to tell, his Not summer's glow nor yellow autumn's Listen and learn! Tyrants have heard the And fell with lessened lustre, broken light tale, Tracing quaint arabesque of dark and white, And turned from hearing terror-struck and Or dimly tinting on the graven stones pale; The pictured annals of Chaldæan thrones. |